Now, Avila said, the team will target some of the more cost-effective options in free agency.

"Right now, everything is fitting right in line with our plan," Avila said. "We were trying to get a top starter like Jordan, and then obviously a less expensive pitcher at this point.

"But that doesn't mean that we're not looking for a guy that's not good, even though we're going to try to sign a less expensive pitcher. It means it's a guy that we like a lot in that particular role."

It could be a guy like veteran right-hander Chris Young, who paid big dividends in the Royals' World Series run this past season. Or a familiar face like right-hander Doug Fister, who fell on hard times in 2015 but represents an intriguing buy-low option. Veterans like Jeremy Guthrie, Bartolo Colon or Aaron Harang. Upside picks like Justin Masterson, Tim Lincecum or Corey Luebke.

"Probably free agency is the best route to go, because you don't have to give up a player," Avila said. "And we're trying to do everything in our power not to give up our young guys, especially our young guys at the upper end."

He did not name names, but he was referring to young right-hander Michael Fulmer.

The Tigers have in-house candidates should they swing and miss on another starter, like left-handers Matt Boyd and Kyle Lobstein, and right-hander Shane Greene, but Avila has stepped into the batter's box swinging this off-season, and so far has made more noise than anybody in baseball.